Mining-machine.



NI). 770,285. PATBNTED SEPT. 20, 1904.

W. E. HAMILTON.

MINING MACHINE.

- APPLICATION FILED JUNE 16, 19.03.

N0 MODEL. 2. SBEBTS-SHEET 1.

' III WITNESSES: 92 INVENTOR.

PATENTED SEPT. 20, 1904.

W. E. HAMILTON. MINING MACHINE.

APPLICATION rum) mums, 1903.

2 BHEETB -SHBET 2.

' NO MODEL.

JNVENTQ A TTORNE Y5.

m W/J M 9: W

Patented September 20, 1904.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. HAMILTON. OF ZANESVILLE, OHIO.

MINING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 770,285, dated September 20, 1904.

' Application filed June 15, 1903. Serial No- 16l,44-.9. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. HAMILTON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Zanesville,county of Muskingum, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in lVIiningl\/Iachines,of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to mining-machines, and has for its principal objects to securethe most effective and greatest practicable cutting range for the mining-machine, to secure for each setting of the machine the undercutting of the face of the mine-room with a slot extending continuously from side to side of said room. and to secure other advantages hereinafter disclosed.

My invention consists principally in mounting the-cutter-chain pivotally upon the outer end of a pivotally-mounted frame.

It also consists in mounting the cutter-chain horizontally upon the outer end portion of a frame arranged to swing about a vertical sup port.

It also consists in certain arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, and wherein like symbols refer to like parts Wherever they occur. Figure 1 is a plan view of the outer end of the frame and ofthe parts mounted thereon or connected therewith. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1 with the guide-track shown in section on line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1 with the shaft and frame shown in section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view of my machine, illustrating the range of movement of the cutter-chain; and Fig. 5 is a side elevation of my machine in the operation of undercutting the face of the mine-chamber. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the ball-and-socket joint of the frame or sweep-arm upon the extensible column.

A suitable platform 24, preferably mounted upon wheels 25, is provided with one or more extensible columns 1, arranged to be jammed against the floor and the roof of the minechamber, and thereby anchor the platform in position. An elongated frame or sweep-arm 26 is pivotally or universally mounted upon one of said columns, preferably by a ball-andsocket joint 27, so that its outer end is free to swing in a horizontal plane about said column 1 as a center. The ball-and-socket joint 27 is formed by means of a spherically-convex portion 1' upon the extensible column 1, which is engaged by a separable spherically-concave bearing 27 upon the frame. Resting upon the ground or fioor of the mine-chamber in front of the platform is a feed guide or rack 1, which is anchored in place by means of an extensible column 5, provided therefor at or near its ends and arranged to engage the floor and the roof of the mine-chamber. This feed rack or guide Lis a circular are arranged concentric with the frame-supporting column 1 by means of distance-rods 28, which connect said feed rack or guide to the movable platform. This feed rack or guide has a vertical rib whose upper portion has a flange 29 extending toward the center of the arc. The elongated frame 26 has a block or bearingpiece 29*,whioh rests upon the top of the feed rack or guide, and said elongated frame has suspended therefrom vertical spindles or shafts which carry rollers 30, arranged to bear against the side of the vertical rib underneath the flange thereon.

The outer side of the feed rack or guide 1 has teeth formed thereon to constitute a rack. Journaled in the elongated frame is a substantially vertical shaft 22, which carries a pinion 23, meshing with said rack. Fixed to the upper portion of said shaft 22 is a ratchetwheel 21, and pivotally mounted on said shaft is an arm or lever 31, which carries a springpressed pawl 13 in position to engage the teeth of said ratchet-wheel 21. The outer end of said arm or lever 31 has a hole or yoke 82, arranged to fit over and cooperate with an eccentric or cam 11, mounted on a substantially vertical head-shaft 8, journaled on the elongated frame near the end thereof. This head-shaftShas a bevel-gear 7, which meshes with a bevel-gear 6, fixed on the main driving or power-transmission shaft 3. This main shaft 3 is journaled on the elongated frame 26 and is arranged lengthwise thereof and is connected to the armature of the motor 2 or to some other suitable prime mover, which is preferably mounted on the rear portion of the elongated frame to swing therewith. By the arrangement just described the outer end of the elongated frame 26 is caused to move step by step in a long circular sweep or are, the power being transmitted from the motor as follows: from the motor 2 to the main shaft 3 and the bevel-gear 6 thereon, thence to the bevel-gear 7 and its head-shaft 8, and thence through the eccentric 11 on said shaft and the yoke 32, cooperating therewith, to the pivoted arm or lever 31 and the pawl 13 thereon, and thence through said pawl 13 to the ratchetwheel 21 and its shaft 22 to the pinion 23, which is caused to travel along the rack 4, intermeshing therewith.

The lower end of the head-shaft 8 at the outer end of the elongated frame has fixed thereto a sprocket-wheel 9, on which engages an endless sprocket-chain 33. This sprocketchain carries the cutters or cutter-tools 10 and passes around a second sprocket-wheel 3 1, which is mounted on the frame or distancepiece to turn horizontally in substantially the same horizontal plane with the driving sprocket-wheel 9.

The vertical thickness of the frame or distance-piece 20 for supporting the outer sprocket-wheel 34: is less than the vertical width of the slot formed by said cutters10, and the main body portion of said frame or distance-piece 20 is in horizontal alinement with the cutter-chain. In order to clear the driving sprocket-wheel 9, however,said chain carrying frame or distance-piece 20 is offset vertically and has a hub formed in the offset portion to fit over the shaft 8 above the driving sprocket-wheel 9. This oifset end of the chain-supporting frame 20 has a segmental are formed thereon, which are has teeth formed therein to constitute a Worm-gear 19 to cooperate with a worm 18 on a shaft 17, mounted horizontally on the elongated frame 26. During the main sweep of the elongated frame this worm 18 is idle and serves merely as a lock for holding the chain-carrying frame 20 in proper position substantially in alinement with the elongated frame. Before and after the main sweep, however, the worm 18 is actuated to rotate the chain-carrying frame upon the shaft 8 as a center. It is noted that in consequence of the construction just described the cutter is the lowest portion of the machine and works in a horizontal plane, whereby the kerf thus made is flush with and forms a continuation of the floorof the chamber without requiring any material to be dug up below said kerf. For this purpose the horizontal worm-shaft 17 has a bevel-gear 16 fixed thereon, which meshes with a bevel-gear 15, fixed on a vertical shaft journaled on said elongated frame 26. Also fixed to this vertical shaft 14; is a ratchet-Wheel 36, arranged to be driven by a spring-pressed pawl 37, mounted upon a lever or arm 38, fulcrumed on said vertical shaft in position to engage said ratchet-wheel 34. This last-mentioned lever or arm 38 is connected by a link 12 to the arm or lever 31, which is fulcrumed at one end to the shaft 22, and has the opening or yoke 32 formed in its other end to fit over the eccentric 11 on the head-shaft 8, as hereinbefore described. By this arrangement the eccentric 11 causes the oscillation of the lever 38, which carries the pawl 37, and thereby causes the intermittent feeding of the chain-carrying frame or distance-piece, the power being transmitted as follows: from the motor 2 and the main shaft 3 and the bevel-gear 6 thereon to the bevelgear 7 and its shaft 8, thence through the eccentric 11 on said shaft to the yoke 32 and its lever or arm 31, and thence through the link 12 to the arm or lever 38 and the pawl 37 thereon to the ratchet-wheel 36 and the shaft 1 1, to which it is fixed, and thence through the bevel-gear 15 on said shaft and the bevelgear 16 to the worm-shaft 17, and thence through the worm 18 to the worm-gear19 and the chain-carrying frame 20.

The pawls 13 and 37 are arranged so as to be capable of manipulation by hand, so as to throw them out of engagement or operative relation with their respective ratchet-wheels, and thereby prevent the feeding of the main sweep or of the chain-carrying frame, as the case may be,

The operation of the machine is as follows: The machine is rolled into the middle of the chamber, either by its own motor or otherwise, with its frame at one side of the chamber and the cutter-head turned back. The guide or feed rack is properly positioned, and the several columns are extended against the floor and the ceiling to anchor the machine and its guide or feed rack firmly in place,

Throughout the operation of the machine the cutter-chain is continuously in motion. The first stage of the operation comprises a circular movement or sweep (indicated by the are C D, Fig. 1) of the chain-carrying frame, while the main frame remains stationary, during which operation the cutter-head is advanced step by step and makes an effective cut in a generally forward direction. During this stage of the operation the pawl 37 is in engagement with its ratchet-wheel, whereas the pawl 13 is disengaged from its ratchet-wheel. During the next or second stage of the operation the pawl .37 is disengaged from its ratchet-wheel, whereas the pawl 13 is in engagement with its ratchet-wheel. In this second stage the cutter-head is locked by the worm-gear practically in alinement with the main frame, so as to be, in effect, a horizontal extension thereof and move therewith in a broad 'step-by-step sweep (indicated by the middle portion of the arc C D) across the main portion of the breast or face of the chamber. In the third and final stage of the operation the engagement of the pawls 13 and 37 is again reversed to their original position, so that the main frame remains stationary and the cutter-head moves intermittently in a generally backward direction (in the are indicated by the line E F) to cut a slot of substantial depth at the side or front corner of the chamber. By these three stages the cutter-head makes a continuous cut of full depth from one side of the chamber to the other Without resetting. When the coal or other mineral thus undercut is shot down and removed, the machine is reset at an advanced position and the operation repeated.

Obviously the construction hereinbefore described admits of considerable variation without departing from my invention, and I do not wish to be restricted to the exact construction hereinbefore described.

What I claim is- 1. A mining-machine comprising an elongated frame pivotally mounted at one end and carrying at its other end a cutter-frame and a cutter thereon, and means mounted on said elongated frame for swinging said elongated frame and for actuating said cutter, said elongated frame being arranged to permit free vertical and horizontal movement of its forward end.

2. A mining-machine comprising an elongated frame pivotally mounted at one end and having a cutter-frame pivotally mounted on its other end, and a cutter on said cutterframe, and actuating mechanism, and means for transmitting motion from said actuating mechanism to said elongated frame and said cutter-frame respectively and for actuating said cutter.

3. A mining-machine comprising an elongated frame pivotally mounted at one end and having a cutter-frame pivotally mounted on its other end to swing horizontally, and a cutter on said cutter-frame, and actuating mech anism, and means for transmitting motion from said actuating mechanism to said elongated frame and said cutter-frame respectively and for actuating said cutter.

4:. A mining-machine comprising an elongated frame pivotally mounted at one end and carrying at its other end a cutter-chain frame and a cutter chain thereon, and a motor mounted on said elongated frame and intermediate connecting devices for transmitting motion from said motor to said frame and to said chain.

5. A mining-machine comprising a truck, an elongated frame pivotally mounted at one end on said truck and carrying at its other end a cutter-chain frame and a cutter-chain thereon, and means for both swinging said elongated frame and actuating said cutterchain.

6. A mining-machine comprising an elongated frame pivotally mounted at one end and a cutter-chain frame pivotally mounted on its other end and a cutter-chain on said cutterchain frame, and actuating mechanism and intermediate mechanism for transmitting motion from said actuating mechanism to said frames and to said cutter-chain.

7 A mining-machine comprising a column, an elongated frame pivotally mounted thereon at one end and carrying at its other end a cutter-chain frame and a cutter-chain there- 'on, and means for both swinging said elongated frame and actuating said cutter-chain, said elongated frame being arranged to permit free vertical and horizontal movement of its forward end.

8. A mining-machine comprising a column, an elongated frame connected thereto at one end by a universal joint and carrying at its other end a cutter-chain frame and a cutter- -chain thereon, and means for both swinging said elongated frame and actuating said cutter-chain.

9. A mining-machine comprising a movable platform, one or more anchor-columns thereon, an elongated frame pivotally mounted on one of said anchor-columns at one end and carrying at its other end a cutter-chain frame and a cutter chain thereon, and actuating mechanism and intermediate transmitting devices for swinging said elongated frame and actuating said cutter-chain.

10. A mining-machine comprising a movable platform, one or more anchor-columns thereon, an elongated frame universally connected to one of said anchor-columns at one end and carrying at its other end a cutter chain frame and a cutter-chain thereon, and actuating mechanism and intermediate transmitting devices for swinging said elongated frame and actuating said cutter-chain.

11. A mining-machine comprising a movable platform, one or more extensible columns arranged to engage the floor and roof of the mine-chamber, an elongated frame pivotally mounted on one of said extensible columns at one end and carrying at its other end a cutter-chain frame and a cutter-chain thereon, and actuating mechanism and intermediate .transmitting devices for swinging said elongated frame and actuating said cutter-chain.

12. A mining-machine comprising a movable platform, one or more anchor-columns thereon, an elongated frame pivotally mounted at one end on one of said anchor-columns and having a cutter-chain frame pivotally mounted on its other end and a cutter-chain on said cutterchain frame, and actuating mechanism, and intermediate devices for sivinging said frame and actuating said cutterc 1am.

13. A mining-machine comprising a movon and having a-cutter-frame provided with a cutter at the free end thereof, said cutter being arranged flush with the plane of the floor of the mine-chamber, whereby said machine can cut continuously across the face of a minechamber at the floor-line.

15. A mining-machine comprising a support, an elongated frame pivotally mounted thereon and having acutter-head frame pivotally mounted on the free end thereof, whereby said'machine can make a-continuous cut of full depth across-the face of amine-chamber.

16. A1miningmachine comprising a platform, an elongated frame pivotally mounted on said platform, an arcuate feed-rack separa: ble from saidplatform and having its center of curvature at the pivot-point of the said frame and supporting the forward end of said frame, actuating mechanism, a pinion journaled in said frame and engaging said rack, and means for transmitting motion from said actuating mechanism to said pinion. 17 A mining-machine comprising a platform, an elongated frame pivotally mounted at one end on said platform and having a cutter-frame pivotally mounted on the other end, a cutter on said cutter-frame, a head-shaftconcentric with the pivot-point of said cutterframe, means for actuating said head-shaft; and means for transmitting the motion of said head-shaft'to swing said elongated frame and said cutter-frame respectively and to actuate said cutter.

18. A mining-machine comprising a pivotally-mounted elongated frame, a cutter-frame pivotally mounted on the other end of said elongated frame, a cutter-chain on said cutter-frame, actuating means, and means for transmitting the motion of said actuating means to both of said frames and said cutterchain, said frames being capable of dissimultaneous operation.

19. A pivotally-mounted elongated frame, an arcuate feed-rack supporting the forward end of said frame, means for fastening said feed-rack concentric with the pivot-point of said frame, means mounted on said frame and to actuate said means.

20. A pivotally-mounted elongated frame, a support therefor, an arcuate feed-rackconcentric with the pivot-point of said frame and separable from said support, detachable anchor-columns to anchor said feed-rack in position, a pinion mounted on said frame and engaging said rack, and actuating mechanism to actuate said pinion.

21. A pivotally-mounted elongated frame, arranged to have movement about vertical and horizontal axes, an arcuate feed-rack concentric with the axis of the horizontal movement and said feed-rack, a pinion on said frame engaging said feed-rack, and actuating mechan ISIIl'lDO actuate sald pinion.

23. A mining-machine comprising a base, a-

frame supported by said base and means for moving said frame horizontally, said frame carrying a cutter at its outer end and being pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis whereby the weight of said outer end rests upon the floor of the mine-chamber in all-positions of said frame.

24. A mining-machine comprising a base, a frame supported by said base and means for moving said frame horizontally, and a track for the outer end of said frame resting upon the floor of the mine-chamber, said frame carrying a cutter at its outer end and being pivotally mounted on a horizontal axiswhereby the weight of its outer portion rests upon said track.

25. A mining-machine comprising abase, a frame supported by said base and means for moving said frame horizontally and a track resting upon the floor of the mine-chamber for the outer end of said frame, said frame car'- rying a cutter at=its outer end and being pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis whereby the weight of said outer endrests upon said track, said track comprising a'rack, and the means for moving said frame horizontally comprising an element arranged to cooperate with said rack for feeding said frame along said track.

26. A mining-machine comprising a base, a frame supported by said base and means for moving said frame horizontally, said frame being pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis whereby the weight of its outer end portion rests upon the floor of the mine-chamber in all positions of said frame, and said frame carrying a cutter on its outer end arranged flush with said floor.

27. Amining-machinecomprisinga base, a pivotally-mounted elongated frame supported by said base and a cutter-frame connected thereto at a fixed point on said elongated frame and having motion relative thereto, and a cutter on said cutter-frame, and means for swinging said elongated frame and for actuating said cutter.

Signed at Maryville, Blount county, Tennessee, this 12th of June, 1903.

. WILLIAM E. HAMILTON. Witnesses:

W. D. HAMILTON, JAMES A. GODDARD. 

